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The Tattoo Murder Case
The Tattoo Murder Case | Akimitsu Takagi
11 posts | 6 read | 6 to read
Kinue Nomura survived World War II only to be murdered in Tokyo, her severed limbs discovered in a room locked from the inside. Gone is the part of her that bore one of the most beautiful full-body tattoos ever rendered. Kenzo Matsushita, a young doctor who was first to discover the crime scene, feels compelled to assist his detective brother, who is in charge of the case. But Kenzo has a secret: he was Kinues lover, and soon his involvement in the investigation becomes as twisted and complex as the writhing snakes that once adorned Kinues torso. The Tattoo Murder Case was originally published in 1948; this is the first English translation. From the Trade Paperback edition.
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charl08
The Tattoo Murder Case | Akimitsu Takagi
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Two months passed. It was well into autumn. The air was crisp and cool, and the leaves of the Japanese maples had turned the brilliant crimson of a geisha's painted lips. On the grounds of Tokyo University Medical School, in the neighborhood of the pond made famous by Natsume Soseki's novel Sanshiro, a tall, remarkably good-looking youth was loitering about gazing at the scenery.

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quote
charl08
The Tattoo Murder Case | Akimitsu Takagi

"Really, it is. But tell me, who is the murderer?"

"I can't talk about that right now." Tsunetaro sounded nervous, as if someone might be listening in.

"Why is that? Oh, I see, now that you mention it, this really isn't the sort of thing you can discuss on the telephone. Where are you now, at Peony? I'll come to meet you right away."
-----

What will happen now? ?

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blurb
charl08
The Tattoo Murder Case | Akimitsu Takagi
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What do they mean "and adapted "?!

Bookwomble Changed to provide broader appeal to a Western audience? 🤷🏻‍♂️ Which would be condescending, if it is. 10mo
batsy Hmmm! 10mo
peanutnine I was intrigued and found this article explaining fairly well: https://acculing.com/difference-between-translation-and-adaptation/hickleberrypu.... 9mo
See All 7 Comments
peanutnine It's odd though that they specified that. I feel like most translated books are also adapted in that sense 9mo
charl08 @Bookwomble @batsy @peanutnine I feel like a translator's note would help me here.🤔 9mo
Bookwomble Thanks for the link @peanutnine @batsy I guess I can understand it if, say, the use of egregiously prejudicial language is more acceptable in one country than another, but if it's "Oh, those crazy foreigners and their funny ways," then that's reprehensible. I see it was originally written in 1948, so perhaps it is about discriminatory attitudes ??‍♂️ As you say, a translator's note as to what they had changed would be useful. 9mo
batsy Thanks for that @peanutnine but I feel like that just raises more questions when something is both translated and adapted. Not quite onboard with it even if it's meant to erase bigotry or prejudicial language; it's for adults and we know those views existed (and still do). A detailed intro and translator's note to provide context would be the way to go, I agree @charl08 @Bookwomble 9mo
46 likes7 comments
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Soytoosaucy
The Tattoo Murder Case | Akimitsu Takagi
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“In the manic phase, Kenzo would feel on top of the world—When he was depressed, though, he became convinced that his talents were mediocre, his existence worthless, and his dissertation a total waste of time. The wisest thing, he would think at those emotional low tides, would be to throw himself under a train, because there was nothing for him to contribute, and no place in the world where he could ever feel at home.” 🖤

Yuki_Onna @Soytoosaucy 😢 Sending big hugs to you! 💞 4y
JonathanDunne I hope you're doing OK. Maybe you're gone from Goodreads. Nice 📸 4y
15 likes1 stack add2 comments
blurb
Soytoosaucy
The Tattoo Murder Case | Akimitsu Takagi
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I‘ve missed you Litsy. Here‘s a few books I‘ve picked up. Been going through some things internally and I just really need an escape. ❤️

I hope everyone is having a relaxing Sunday🍃

JonathanDunne I hear you. An Escape is always good, especially during a lockdown🧠🚪 ( the Emojis represent leaving your brain at the door or your brain exiting the door, either works. Way too obscure probably 🤗) 4y
Soytoosaucy @JonathanDunne Yes this lockdown does not help all while going through a split, 2020 is the year of many struggles🙃 If only I could literally leave my brain somewhere and come get it later, would be great, 🤣🤣 Hopefully you‘re staying positive throughout this year! 🙂 4y
JonathanDunne @Soytoosaucy Oh, don't get me started 😕 I don't have enough space here, but if I did, I'd ask you to pull up a chair and pour yourself a stiff drink... 4y
See All 23 Comments
Soytoosaucy @JonathanDunne oooff, that bad? 😟 seems like you need an escape too. Wishing you better days! 4y
JonathanDunne @Soytoosaucy I just wanted an excuse to pull up a chair and have a drink 😊 Are you at Goodreads? 4y
Soytoosaucy @JonathanDunne lol makes sense, I don‘t think you need an excuse for that😂😂 and I made one awhile back but not really on it too much. 4y
JonathanDunne @Soytoosaucy you know I read your Litsy handle and for some reason I understood it in Spanish (I'm living in Spain now) and it has a very different concept 😂 I thought you were word playing with Spanish and English. Im only getting that it's actually soy sauce now...wait,it is soy sauce, right? 4y
Soytoosaucy @JonathanDunne 🤣🤣 that‘s funny! I know very very little Spanish since I‘ve lived in Texas. It is about soy sauce, since I‘m Asian and I use soy sauce a lot 😂 nothing too deep. Do you travel a lot? That is awesome, Spain looks beautiful from pictures! 4y
JonathanDunne I know you are. You're so exotic looking! I really don't travel enough. I live in toledo spain but I am from Ireland 🇮🇪. 4y
Soytoosaucy @JonathanDunne wow interesting! I‘ve never been out of the U.S., so at least you‘re getting different experiences. 4y
JonathanDunne @Soytoosaucy Hmm ya, true, but 2020 has been a strange year for me, a year of realization probably. Long story. Wouldn't mind an escape like you said. Do you know of any hidden bunker where I could escape or any hole to jump down ☺️😔 4y
Soytoosaucy @JonathanDunne I‘m in the same boat. 😅 I wish I knew of one.. Reading anything good lately? 4y
JonathanDunne @Soytoosaucy Any free time goes into my own book I'm trying to finish these days. But I never stop smiling when I'm reading A Confederacy of Dunces. 4y
JonathanDunne And you? 4y
JonathanDunne I'm looking out my window right now and there's a full moon lighting up the whole sea. I took a picture but can't show you here, pity. It's amazing. 4y
Soytoosaucy @JonathanDunne that‘s right! I just looked up your books! How amazing! Hmm, I‘m trying to get through The Woman in the Window still🤦🏻‍♀️🤣. Sounds beautiful, my view is just of other houses and palm trees. 4y
JonathanDunne @Soytoosaucy she's not going to stay in the window forever 4y
Soytoosaucy @JonathanDunne have you read it? 4y
JonathanDunne @Soytoosaucy no, I haven't. Could you friend me at GR if you want / have an account. I could talk to you till the cows come home, but here I'm talking to you in front of a live studio audience😅 ok, I need to 😴 goodnight. 4y
JonathanDunne @Soytoosaucy back to bug you. Insomnia. I'm thinking about soy sauce at 5 in the morning. Is it true that the Chinese use hair to make it? 4y
Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick This has been a rough year but moreso for some. Sending hugs to you. 💗 4y
Soytoosaucy @Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick definitely!! And thank you❤️ to you too!! 4y
13 likes23 comments
blurb
arubabookwoman
The Tattoo Murder Case | Akimitsu Takagi
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Do you think the dialogue in this otherwise enjoyable Japanese crime novel is a bit stilted?

BarbaraBB I don‘t know but I have that feeling too sometimes when reading translated Japanese novels. 6y
18 likes1 comment
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meltedsquirrel
The Tattoo Murder Case | Akimitsu Takagi
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I can attest that this is an accurate description of lunchtime sounds.

LeahBergen Yum. 8y
Suet624 😂😂😂😂 8y
24 likes2 comments
blurb
meltedsquirrel
The Tattoo Murder Case | Akimitsu Takagi
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Trying to stay off the internet during my lunch break because it only leads to uneasiness about everything. So Japanese mystery it is.

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DiruVamp
The Tattoo Murder Case | Akimitsu Takagi

It's hard to believe a book about tattoos set in Japan wouldn't be a slam dunk for me but 11 (very short) chapters in and I'm bored. I have no connection to the characters yet and am struggling. With so many books on my TBR I'm not sure if I should read on or shelve it for later.

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DiruVamp
The Tattoo Murder Case | Akimitsu Takagi
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#funphotofriday these are my go to bookmarks. The first being one of only two actual bookmarks I own. The second is a sticker from probably my favorite clothing company and the third is an insert that was in a CD from a Japanese metal band I listen to.

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review
thebloblife
The Tattoo Murder Case | Akimitsu Takagi
Mehso-so

Interesting and enjoyable but very much a titillation piece for tone.